Located in Sapt Sarovar near ashram at Haridwar,
Bharat Mata Temple is a holy place of its own kind. Bharat Mata Mandir
was founded by Swami Satyamitranand Giri. On 15th May 1983, the temple
was inaugurated by Late Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi. Actually,
Bharat Mata is the representation of India in the form of a mother
goddess. The Goddess of India or Mother India is generally illustrated
as a woman dressed in a saffron-colored sari and holding the flag in one
of her hands.
This eight-storied temple is tall to the approximate height of 180
feet. Elevators are installed in the temple to aid the pilgrims. Each
storey of the temple is based on a particular theme, housing figures of
many mythological legends, religious deities, freedom fighters and
leaders. It is a kind of reverence to all those, who played a vital role
in the formation of the country.
On the first floor, Statue of Bharat Mata adorns the hall, where the
Goddess is holding a milk pot in one hand and stack of grain in the
other hand. This image of Goddess represents the nurture granted by the
Mother as a toddler and as an adult. This floor also comprises a huge
map of India on a raised platform. It also has a big picture of Indira
Gandhi, inaugurating the temple. 'Shoor Mandir' is the title granted to
the second floor and it is dedicated to the legendary heroes of India.
The third floor is known as 'Matru Mandir' that celebrates the
achievements of honored women like Meera Bai, Savitri and Matiri etc.
'Sant Mandir' is the fourth floor that features great saints from
different religions of India. The fifth floor has an assembly hall,
where all the practicing religions in India, are represented in a
harmonious manner on the walls. It also reveals the historical facts and
paintings screening the natural beauty of India.
On the sixth floor, Goddess Shakti is represented in different forms
like Durga, Parvati, Sati, Radha, Saraswati, Kali etc. The seventh floor
is dedicated to all the incarnations and forms of Lord Vishnu including
Ram, Krishna and Matsya etc. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the eighth floor
offers a splendid view of the Himalayas and the whole complex of Sapt
Sarovar.
